OK, need your advice on whether this desktop is worth it

[Jintonix]

For all the tech junkies I do need your opinion. I know that building your own computer is usually the way to go instead of buying pre built desktops from Dell, but I am a lazy (not really lazy but somewhat), no hassle type of guy who doesn't have much time to build it. Anyways, I am thinking of buying an XPS desktop from Dell and want to know if this would be a good deal. Please see below, thanks for all your input.

XPS 420 = 1189.99

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™2 Q6600 Quad-Core (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB) edit

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium with Digital Cable Support edit

MEMORY 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs edit

HARD DRIVE 320GB - 7200RPM, SATA 3.0Gb/s, 16MB Cache edit

OPTICAL DRIVE Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability edit

VIDEO CARD 512MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT edit SOUND CARD Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio edit KEYBOARD Dell USB Keyboard edit

MOUSE Dell Premium Optical USB Mouse edit

WI-FI AND MODEM Internal PCI 802.11g Wireless Network Card edit

ADOBE ELEMENTS STUDIO Adobe Elements Studio for XPS™ 420 edit

ANTI-VIRUS & SECURITY Trend Micro Internet Security 15-months edit

My Service WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor,24x7 Phone Support edit

DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Included 10GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Year edit

[AzH]

OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium with Digital Cable Support edit
See if you can drop Vista for XP Professional.

[Kenny]

See if you can drop Vista for XP Professional.

Vista works fine with Service Pack 1.

[AzH]

Vista works fine with Service Pack 1.
People have complained about driver issues with Vista. *shrug*

[engagequadlaser]

Vista works fine with Service Pack 1.

If you're lucky.

So how about it, feeling lucky? Roll the dice and find out.

[asu]

*Lights up the Tek signal!*
Nananananananana Teknobry!!!!

[Doctor Rigamortis]

In my opinion that system is more than adequate enough to run L4D smoothly on high settings.

[Atari]

Agreed, it's a perfect build for L4D.

As for XP vs Vista....

If you have loads of old games and old programs (plus old hardware like webcams/printers) that you can't live without and have no great desire to play DX10 games + don't mind upgrading your OS in the next few years...XP is perfect.

If you can live without some of your old programs/games/hardware and want to future proof your PC with regards to graphics/future software, Vista is the way to go.

[Jintonix]

so for the price of 1189, its worth it i'm assuming??

[Atari]

What currency? ;)

Seriously, compare the specs with other prebuilt PCs and you'll soon find out if it's worth it.

"If someone builds it for you, then they make a profit - so built it yourself and pocket the profit." Atari ©

[Teknobry]

MEMORY 3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 4 DIMMs edit

That memory speed is very low for a desktop, would want 800mhz minimum.
Also, 3GB? You want matched pairs so that they can be run in T1 and DDR2. It will be slower if you have 3x1GB sticks, as opposed to 2x1gb.

Doesn't say what motherboard it comes with, this is a very vital component!

The only things I'm seeing there that are worth anything are the processor and graphics card. Everything else... is just a filler. Personally... its looking overpriced.

I spec'd up a system for someone a couple of weeks ago for about $710 that was better than this.

[Jintonix]

Great stuff to know. But why would it be slower since 3 gig sticks has more memory than 2. Also, do you happen to have those specs?? :)

[Eddy_of_the_dead]

brainz?

[Riordin]

I wouldnt go with XPS, you should take a look at the new HP blackbird, theyre sexy and amazing gaming platforms. not to mention the fact you can customize them aswell. but its your choice. or just get an alienware ;)

[Jintonix]

brainz?

Ahh that explains it. Its a zombie 3 gig memory chip. Fasinating!

[Teknobry]

Great stuff to know. But why would it be slower since 3 gig sticks has more memory than 2

dual channel doubles your memory bandwidth because you can read on one channel and write on the other at the same time. As RAM is in pairs, the 3rd stick will not be running in dual channel mode.

I'll find the post of that other spec in a min...

[Teknobry]

Assuming you're buying from the states:

EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail $250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 2E16814130318 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130318)

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard- Retail $90.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 2E16813128059 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059)

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Retail $280
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 2E16819115017 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017)

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 2E16820146565 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146565)
Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Special offer, Send proof of purchase off and recieve $25 back! cost of RAM is then only $50!

I'd go with that PSU as well:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 2E16817139004 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004)
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W
$100 but again has a rebate if you send of proof of purchase.. taking price to $85.00

That comes in at $755.00 after the rebates. Those are your main basic components. Leaves you with $435.00 to either buy stuff like keyboard, mouse & operating system and will still have plenty change left over :D

[Jintonix]

Cool man, thanks. Do you think it'll be worth it to shed a bit more for this motherboard?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8) 2E16813128048

And ill probably get 4 gigs of memory instead of three then.

[hool10]

Assuming you're buying from the states:

/thread I would post the exact same thing as Teknobry and he is on the ball. You really won't take advantage of the extra 2GB of memory but if you want, then go for it. Pick a case out too because you need that, LOL. Pick any that has is under "ATX mid tower". They got even bigger ones but the mid tower is what you're used to seeing. The motherboard that you want is future proofing you more and is actually my motherboard! It's really great and you can see it's cousin which can sport dual video cards. You sacrifice the DDR3 capability though. For a review check this out: URL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqxeHdSwbp8)
Just remember to buy pairs of the RAM so it can work in dual channel mode. I would also highly advise to get Vista. If you are getting the 4GB of RAM, then go for the 64 bit Vista version then.

Vista has come a very long way and most drivers run great on it. The people that are complaining still is because of an old system or they have issues with it in the past. Above all, build it yourself because you will know how to fix things in the future, you know who built it, and you can adjust the BIOS. The BIOS is critical to your performance and overclocking. Dell locks it's customers out of it. Also you save money in the long run. There are multiple guides online and we can help you out here even. Go with newegg though. *I highly advise you to get this as well: URL (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835109140) Works wonders on the quad core and you can even OC the CPU to 3GHz or more while still keeping it frosty. It provides the thermal paste as well.

[Antman]

lol i posted in the hardware discussion topic about my specs and questions... should i create my own topic to get these sort of answers?

[Teknobry]

Cool man, thanks. Do you think it'll be worth it to shed a bit more for this motherboard?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8 2E16813128048 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128048)

And ill probably get 4 gigs of memory instead of three then.

Its entirely up to you. That is a good motherboard, and as hool says, its very good for futureproofing, as it won't need upgrading for a long time.

Your choice is either stick with 2gig and go with vista 32 or xp, or 4gig and use vista 64. Vista 64 though still doesn't have quite the driver support that 32 does...but thats only going to improve with time.

[Jintonix]

Great stuff guys, thanks alot. As you can see, I was originally planning on just buying from Dell, but now that has changed. I think its worth the time to build it just to get great performance and save money. You guys should be in sales. Definitely convinced me! :D

[Atari]

I can't believe no-one noticed how amazing my rhym was. Ahead of my time I guess(?)

[Jintonix]

Ahead of my time I guess(?)

Ahead of your time indeeeeeeeed. :P

[Clamzoni_of_RI]

Ummmm... Since when was the Hard Drive not a main component. Do tell.

[Teknobry]

Great stuff guys, thanks alot. As you can see, I was originally planning on just buying from Dell, but now that has changed. I think its worth the time to build it just to get great performance and save money. You guys should be in sales. Definitely convinced me! :D

Glad you've seen the light ;)

Everyone has a friend or knows someone who is capable of putting a pc together once the parts arrive, so even if you're not confident enough to do it yourself, having seen it done once you'll be able to do it yourself when it comes to upgrading parts or adding an extra hard disk.

As I'm from the UK, I don't know any US retailers except new egg, I'm sure you know of others though, so feel free to check them out now you've got an idea what parts you're looking for, as you may get them even cheaper!

[Clamzoni_of_RI]

.... Tek. What about a hard drive bro?

[Teknobry]

7200RPM minimum, SATA 3.0GB/s, 16mb cache... and choose a brand with a good reputation.

Personal choice on these alot of the time, depending on how much storage you need. Personally I get by on 100gb, although 150-200 for me would be ample, whereas others need a terabyte!